Business news

MOSCOW, 17 June (BelTA) - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Igor Petrishenko met with Vice Governor of Leningrad Oblast - Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Fisheries Sergei Yakhnyuk and Vice Governor of Leningrad Oblast for Housing and Utilities and Fuel-Energy Complex Yuri Pakhomovsky in St. Petersburg on 17 June, BelTA learned from the press service of the Embassy.

"The parties noted the successful implementation of the program of trade, economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation between the Government of Leningrad Oblast and the Government of Belarus for 2013-2015. In view of the completion of the program the parties stressed the need to develop a new roadmap for cooperation. The document is planned to be signed during the visit of the Leningrad Oblast high-level delegation to Belarus in autumn of 2015,” the press service informed.

A separate topic of discussion was the supplies of agricultural products, utility vehicles and passenger equipment of Belarusian make. Igor Petrishenko also noted the interest of the Belarusian side in expanding the supply of products and participating in the program to upgrade the elevators used in the region.

Vice Governor of Leningrad Oblast Yuri Pakhomovsky invited Belarus to take part in the international agricultural fair Agrorus 2015 which will be held from 22 to 30 August. In addition, the parties discussed the participation of Belarus and Leningrad Oblast in the second forum of regions of Belarus and Russia which will be held in Veliky Novgorod in September 2015.

Leningrad Oblast is one of the largest trading and economic partners of Belarus among the regions of Russia. The trade totaled $518.7 million in 2014. Belarusian export reached $246.9 million; import came at $271.8 million. Belarus’ major exports oil products, poultry, and synthetic fibers. Major imports are cars, mineral fertilizers, tobacco and its substitutes.